My Three Years in America

Born into a household where the German embassy was both home and political arena, the author grew up hearing the imperatives of nationhood and diplomacy before he could even read a newspaper. His father, a seasoned diplomat, instilled a belief that Germany’s future lay in liberal unification and constructive ties with England and the United States. These convictions frame a vivid portrait of pre‑war Europe, where shifting alliances and competing ambitions created a fragile peace. The narrative opens with a clear‑eyed explanation of the “Western Policy” the author once believed could have averted disaster.

When he arrives in America, the memoir shifts to a front‑line view of how German propaganda, diplomatic missteps, and sudden crises—most famously the sinking of the Lusitania—reshaped public opinion on both sides of the Atlantic. He recounts meetings with American officials, the clash of press narratives, and uneasy attempts at mediation that foreshadowed a break in relations. Through his letters and observations, listeners gain an intimate sense of a world on the brink, seen through the eyes of someone who once hoped for a peaceful partnership.